PlayPiano
The short answer
A prelude in a collection shaped over several years. Prelude Op. 28 No. 20 is a prelude by Frédéric Chopin from the Romantic era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 4, an estimate.
- prelude
- Romantic
- grand
- melancholic
- block chords
History
PTNA's account places the beginnings of some Op. 28 preludes around 1836 and reports completion of the collection in Mallorca in 1838. The autograph collection was sent to Paris in January 1839, and publication followed in 1839. This is a history of the set, not evidence that every prelude began on the island.
Sources
What to listen for
A broad chordal opening
The source begins Largo and fortissimo. Each bar moves through full chords, with a dotted-eighth and sixteenth motion inside the upper part on the third beat. Listen for that small melodic movement within the weight of the chords.
How to practise it
Keep the chord tops clear while the bass changes underneath.
- Practise the top-note rhythm, then add the held inner tones softly.
- Practise the opening bass changes without pedal first.
- Connect the stated opening gestures at a comfortable tempo, keeping their distinct releases.
How hard is it
The early-intermediate proposal values clean chord changes, differentiated sound and a continuous phrase. A compact chordal piece still asks for listening beyond pitch correctness.
About this piece
- Collection
- The prelude gallery
- Licence
- Public Domain
- Source
- mutopiaproject.org
More by Frédéric Chopin
- Prelude in A major, Op. 28 No. 7Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
- Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9 No. 2Level 7, estimatedWith Maestro
- Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52Level 10, estimatedWith Maestro
